A Mother Is…

Posted May 11, 2014 by Prairie Wife - 9 comments

I loved this picture and it made me laugh when I saw it…so true isn’t it. So often we as mother’s (and step-mothers, and even grandmas and aunts) get stuck in the daily drudgery of motherhood. Cooking, cleaning, disciplining, loving, teaching…and wake up and repeat! Too often I find myself focusing on what hasn’t been done rather than what I have accomplished. It makes me tear up every time I read it but this quote is one I try to keep close to my heart.

It’s sappy I know, but this exhausting busy time of babies and young kids begging for my time, will be over soon. That doesn’t mean I enjoy every minute…that’s crazy and impossible. I find it hard to believe that someday I will find myself regretting that I can go to the bathroom without someone barging in or crying as they pound on the door and stick their fingers underneath! Despite the days I’ve been covered in vomit and weary to the bone, I can say with 100% certainty that I love this mom gig! So as a tribute to all you mom’s out there we had mothers, husbands, women, men, and kids answer the question “What do you think a mother is?”

Tait, age 34: A mother is the foundation that families are built on. They hold everything together, even when things may be falling apart. A mother is strong and tender. She puts her needs last. My children and I are so lucky that my wife has all of these traits.

Zach, age 10: Generally a female who takes care of you and tries to be as nice as they can to you.

Sadie, age 5: She is a girl who takes care of her kids. She bosses everybody.

Pa, age 63: A mother is someone who nurtures. They give what is needed to grow-physically and emotionally and spiritually. A mother takes from herself to give to her child.

Makenzie, age 15: Someone who is responsible and caring and who puts her kids before herself.

Andrea: A mother is someone that gives you rules at a young age and looks out for your best interests, then loves you through thick and thin. Even through those not so easy teen years. She is the one by your side when your having babies of your own, that has taught you all you know about being the best mother possible and sacrificing all she has . Mine is my best friend!

Natalya, age 4: Nice, takes care of me, and you are a happy woman.

Christopher, age 20: A mother is someone you can talk to and shows they love you. Even if that means they are hard on you and maybe yell at you, it’s cuz she cares! A mother knows you almost better than you know yourself.

Karen: A Mother is someone who will love you unconditionally, till her last breath.

Siera, age 11: A mother is someone who cares and gives what she can.

BigBrotherB, age 35: A mother is someone who has raised a child, she provides love and acceptance.

Kyra, age 7: A mother is somebody that is kind and is a good cook, especially mine

Cowboy J, age 8: A mother is someone who cooks and takes care of her family.

Kristen: A mother is a woman who gives her all everyday to make sure her children are well taken care of & know they are loved. She is a multitasker and serves many roles: nurturer, referee, nurse, cook, maid, chauffeur, listener, teacher & disciplinarian just to name a few!!

Michael, age 41: What is a mother? A mother or my mother? Because my mother gets a way better definition than “just” a mother!

Lexa, age 5: A mother is a human who cooks & works hard!

Alisha, age 32: I think a mother is a little bit of everything… A teacher, a doctor or nurse when you are sick… A maid lol.. A coach… A best friend… A cook… All generic answers but they mean so much to a child. One who pays more attention and care to their children then themselves, and sacrifices whatever they need to, so their child can live a healthy prosperous life.

The Cowboy, age 34: A mother is unconditional love.

Bri, age 3: A regular mom is just for taking care of a baby!

Cowgirl G, age 6: A mother is someone who worries about their child and I think they have to be a good parent. They feed their kids morning, noon and night.

Bobbi, age 16: Mom simply comes to mind as my rock, support system, and the reason that I am where I am today, I would not be where I am without her. She’s the one person in my life who’s always been there for me no matter my actions or my mood. She is my backbone and my encouragement. I’m not sure how I would’ve ended up in my life without her. She loves everything about me, both beautiful and ugly. I’ve seen her influence on my older siblings and couldn’t be more amazed at what she’s accomplished through them, and vice versa. She’s an infinite loving being, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. Everyone’s mom is different, but that’s what makes them so special to you.

Taitum, age 5: A mom is someone who isn’t being mean, they are just telling something!

TallGirlJ, age 30: I say a mom is not a friend but, someone who has to be full of love and guidance, until their child is grown. Then a mother can become her child’s friend.

I have to end by pointing out that we didn’t receive a single quote that said a mother has to be the woman who gave birth to you…not one…some food for thought about how families are made!

Note from TX2Steppin’: So Prairie Wife took the lead on this project, and I wrote my piece before I read these heartwarming comments from children of all ages. It is so curious that PW closed her section with a sentiment that so closely echoed mine!

As you know, I am not a biological mother to anyone, but I am endorsed as a mother by four very different “kids” who I love with my whole heart and have helped raise from a very young age. Of course, there is Step Girl and Step Boy who truly are mine. When people comment that I look too young to have kids in their early- and mid-20s, I say, “Well, technically they’re my stepchildren, but I’ve had them since the youngest was in kindergarten.” Just ask The Texan how quickly they jump to my defense if someone says I’m not a mother!

Now, they also have a half-brother, who has been a part of our family since the day he was born. I just took his high school graduation photos a few weeks ago, and I can’t believe how time has passed so quickly. We will miss him being at every family dinner and outing because he is moving to Houston for school, but The Texan and I are proud of the adult he has become and know he will be successful and remember the values we have tried to instill in him. When he was in middle school he always introduced us as his step-parents, and since there isn’t a better word to describe our special relationship, we all just go with it.

Here is where it gets even more tricky–The Texan and I have nearly always introduced her as our “adopted” daughter. Again, we need some new, positive labels because people don’t quite understand what we mean, and the explanation is a bit long. She has been one of Step Girl’s best friends since seventh grade and went along on every vacation and outing we ever took. About two years ago she began dating Step Boy, and we were surprised because the two had never really spoken to each other while they were growing up. We have always loved her, so the transition into our family was seamless. Her mom even calls me “her second mother.” But now we call her our “Grandbaby’s Mama,” and we couldn’t be prouder of her maturity and newfound parenting skills.

When I was in grade school we always wrote poetry for our mom’s, and this is mine to celebrate all of the women who just don’t fit the traditional definition of Mother’s Day and are hesitant to call themselves one: